Cauda equine syndrome (CES) is an extreme medical condition – if it isn’t diagnosed and treated in a specific time gap, the condition can become fatal or have life changing effects on the life of the patient suffering from the condition. If the condition isn’t spotted immediately by medics, and causes the patient unnecessary suffering, they may be able to make an injury compensation claim.
When a patient is caused further suffering due to the failure or wrong decisions made by medics, they have a right to claim on the basis of medical negligence. Cauda equine syndrome can be caused by a number of factors – it may be that a traumatic event has lead to the fracture or dislocation of the spinal column; this can cause the compression of the nerves. Another cause of the condition might be a herniated disc, which is where pressure is caused to the nerves which decreases sensation and causes inflammation to the surrounding tissues, leading to further compression.
Other causes of CES that have been recorded in the past include:
- Spinal Stenosis
- Inflammatory Conditions
- Infectious Conditions
- Accidental Medical Causes
When looking to diagnose a condition such as CES, medics use a number of red flags that help them narrow the possibility of the condition the patient is suffering from. They will then follow this through by carrying out a number of tests, such as an MRI scan, which is a valuable tool in discovering cauda equine syndrome.
The red flags medics look for include:
- The patient’s medical history – they may have suffered from trauma or have a history of cancer or severe infection.
- Loss or diminution of reflexes
- Sensory abnormality in the legs, bladder or rectum
- Muscle weakness or wasting in the legs
CES can be extremely difficult for medics to diagnose, as it presents itself with symptoms that are popular in other conditions. When diagnosing the disease, medics are working against time to do so. If wrongly diagnosed it can result in further suffering for the patient and may have a permanent impact on the patient, causing the condition to worsen.
Failure to diagnose CES, resulting in a delay in the treatment of the condition, is a frequent cause of medical negligence claims for injury compensation. Failure to diagnose the condition, especially in younger patients, can affect their working ability in the foreseeable future.
If you have been a victim of medical negligence then you may be able to make an injury compensation claim. The health care we receive in the UK is usually to our satisfaction and is normally of a high standard. However, there are always going to be cases when patients feel let down by medics, especially in cases such as CES. For more information contact the Injury Lawyers today.
